It’s hard to imagine, but there are trillions of microbes living (mostly) harmoniously throughout your digestive tract. This is an impressive ecosystem known as your gut microbiome.
The health and balance of your microbiome have a major influence on the rest of your body — including your risk of certain diseases. Your gut bacteria are heavily involved in making sure things like your digestion, immunity, skin, and even brain are functioning how they’re supposed to.
When the balance of your microbiome is disturbed, it’s called dysbiosis. This can set off a domino effect of health consequences. In order to restore balance, it’s helpful to understand how to recognize possible gut dysbiosis symptoms.
Understanding Dysbiosis
The word dysbiosis can be broken down into “dys-” which means abnormal or imperfect and “biosis” which refers to the balance of microorganisms. It’s generally defined as one of the following:
1. Loss of healthy microorganisms
2. Excessive growth of potentially harmful microorganisms, or
3. Disruption in the overall variety of microbes
In other words, dysbiosis occurs when the types and amounts of certain bacteria in your digestive system fall out of balance.
When this happens, some people might notice mild, temporary symptoms that correct on their own. Others might experience more concerning symptoms. In this case, a call to your healthcare provider is a good idea.
So, why is it so important for the gut microbiome to be in balance anyway? Well, not all of the bacteria in your gut are “good” or “bad” — it’s actually a mix of both at any given time.
When the balance is off and there are too many of the “bad” bacteria, this can promote illness and infection. Having enough of the “good” bacteria is essential for your body’s optimal health and function.
Of course, even the best-laid plans can go awry. We live in a world of many interferences which can make it hard to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Some examples include:
• Unmanaged stress or anxiety
• Unprotected sex
• Antibiotic use, especially as a child
• Use of proton pump inhibitors and antipsychotic medications
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Poor dental hygiene
• Making major changes in your diet
• Exposure to xenoestrogens
Don’t take this as a reason to feel guilty or ashamed. Dysbiosis can happen to anyone. It’s good to be aware of how the activities or habits above can put you at a higher risk over time.
Common Dysbiosis Symptoms
You may experience different symptoms of dysbiosis than someone else. Still, there are some key symptoms that may mean your gut is trying to tell you something. I’ve outlined them below by the areas that can be impacted.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Maybe the most obvious place dysbiosis symptoms might appear is in your gut. Some people experience changes in their bathroom habits, like chronic diarrhea or constipation. Bloating, having more gas, nausea, bad breath, and abdominal pain or cramping may also be symptoms.
Skin Issues
When your gut bacteria are out of balance, it might show up as changes in your skin. Some potential dysbiosis symptoms can include eczema and psoriasis, acne, or other types of skin rashes that you’ve not previously had.
Mood and Mental Health Symptoms
Experience mental health changes? Your gut bacteria might be off balance. Brain fog, forgetfulness, and feelings of anxiousness or low mood may be a sign of dysbiosis.
Immune System Dysfunction
If you’re experiencing an uptick in how frequently and/or how severely you’re getting sick, this may suggest a sign of dysbiosis. Additionally, there’s some evidence that autoimmune diagnoses, like irritable bowel disease (IBD) or colitis, have a microbiome-related piece.
Fatigue and Energy Imbalances
We all feel tired. But if you’re feeling it more than usual, it might be a sign from your gut. For some people, dysbiosis can show up as sleep disturbances that can’t otherwise be explained.
Keep in mind that these symptoms are pretty generic and could be related to a number of conditions. If you’re experiencing anything new and concerning with your health, especially if it’s ongoing, it’s always best to speak with your healthcare provider.
How Do You Diagnose Dysbiosis?
Dysbiosis can only be officially diagnosed with the help of a healthcare professional who is well-versed in gastrointestinal health.
They will probably order one or more of the following tests:
• Organic acids test:
This test involves a urine sample which is tested for abnormal levels of acids that are produced by gut bacteria, which may indicate an imbalance.
• Hydrogen breath test: Often used to diagnose a condition called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), this is a test of what gases are expelled in your breath after you drink a sugar solution.
•
Comprehensive digestive stool analysis: For this test, you’ll collect a stool sample that is examined for what bacteria, yeasts, or fungi are present that may indicate a microbial imbalance. At Eat Freely Nutrition, we use a stool test called
GI Map.
Treating Dysbiosis
There’s no quick fix for getting your microbiome back into optimal balance, but don’t worry! Your every day habits can do wonders for your gut health over time.
Dietary Changes
Your overall diet pattern plays a major role in your gut and overall health. In general, dysbiosis foods to avoid include those that are high in saturated fat and added sugar, as well as ultra-processed foods (think snacks that come in crinkly bags and sweetened sodas).
On the other hand, eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins like fish are excellent choices for digestive health.
To get a better understanding of how your diet is influencing your gut — and how to improve it — work with a registered dietitian who specializes in functional gut health. They can help identify foods that are triggering symptoms and design an appropriate plan to get your balance back. You can
schedule a free 20-minute phone consult
to learn more about how we can help.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria, and prebiotics are food for these bacteria. Both are important for supporting digestive health and helping your microbiome stay in balance. They can be found in foods as well as supplements.
For example, natural sources of probiotics include fermented foods like tempeh, miso, kefir, and sauerkraut. Prebiotics are found in foods like chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, garlic, and onions.
Your dietitian can help you determine whether a supplement could also be helpful and what strains make the most sense for your needs. Our most common recommended probiotic is MegaSporeBiotic which can be found on our online store. Learn more about our online supplement store
here.
Medications or Medical Interventions
Commonly prescribed antibiotics include ciprofloxacin, rifaximin, or co-trimoxazole. Each has a different indication depending on what your symptoms are, such as if you’re diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome or a gut or urinary tract infection resulting from dysbiosis.
Once you have dysbiosis under control, continue to practice healthy habits to help prevent it from recurring. Don’t overcomplicate it — this includes many of the same things you’ve been doing to treat the problem.
Dysbiosis Recap
Dysbiosis is a common condition that may be associated with a number of health conditions. Gut dysbiosis symptoms can affect your skin, mood, immunity, digestion, and more. Recognizing potential symptoms early and getting the appropriate treatment is key. At home, you can start by examining the quality of your diet and what types of triggers may be present in your lifestyle (none of us are perfect!).
Seek medical guidance from your healthcare provider or dietitian if you’re experiencing any new health symptoms. Healthy everyday habits can support a more balanced gut microbiome and improve overall well-being.
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